Military Commander: TNI Soldiers Pursue Group Holding Civilian Hostages in Jila
Commander of Kodim 1710/Mimika, Lieutenant Colonel Infanteri Jozanda, said TNI soldiers are pursuing an armed group that took nine women by force in Jila District, Mimika Regency, Central Papua, on Monday (17/8).
Jozanda, when confirmed in Timika on Wednesday evening, said the TNI responded immediately by sending personnel to pursue the armed group after receiving a report about the abduction of civilians.
“Do not worry, we have already carried out a pursuit of the perpetrators. Hopefully the soldiers carrying out this pursuit will also be given ease so that they can quickly find and rescue our children,” he said.
The Dandim condemned the group’s actions and stated that what the armed group did was cruel and inhumane.
“In my words, it was a forced taking, so they were forced to be taken. Danramil Jila received a report from the local community that several residents were forced to be taken, including a child in grade III of elementary school, grade IV, grade VI, three people aged 18, and one person aged 17 who is in early pregnancy,” he said.
He explained that when the victims were taken by force, two women who were the mothers of the victims resisted so that their children would not be taken by the group.
“The mother refused to let her child be taken by force and in the end she was shot and died at the scene. Then another mother who also refused to let her child be taken by force was thrown into a ravine and suffered a broken leg,” he said.
The mother who was shot dead was identified as Neregingget Magai (48), while the mother who suffered a broken leg after being pushed into a ravine was named Inkolung Aim.
“The one who was shot died immediately and that afternoon her body was cremated. The one with the broken bone is still alive and is now receiving treatment in Jila. I have not yet received information about her age,” he said.
Currently, the Dandim said, the situation in Jila District is gradually becoming conducive, but air transport access cannot yet enter the area.
The abduction of children, a pregnant woman and teenage girls occurred on Monday (17/8).
Based on information from the community, the number of armed group members who forcibly took nine civilians was 15 people.
“As for where this group is from, we are conducting an investigation. I will inform you again later. More importantly, this is a new group because their language is different from the community there,” he said.
The names of the nine civilians held hostage by the armed group are Nemerina Wamang (17), who is in early pregnancy, Alin Mesawarol (grade VI of elementary school), Nopi Aim (grade IV), Opinte Meswaro (grade III), Yonita Senawatme (18), Meria Nibilingame (15), Wena Katagame (18), Ilimin Onawame (18), and Miante Nibilingame (13).